Refrigerating apparatus



Feb, K, 1928., 11,658,342

J (5. KING REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. '7, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l Snow tow Quiet 42134).

Feb. 7 E928.

11 655fi42 J. G. KING REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Jan.7, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,658,342 PATENT OFFICE.

JESSE G. KIN G, 01 DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO DELCO-LIGHT COMPANY,

01' DAYTON,

OHIO, A CORPORATION 01? DELAWARE.

REFBIGERATIN G APPARATUS.

Application filed January 7, 1825. Serial No. 1,105.

This invention relates to refrigeration apparatus and includes among its ob e cts the automatic regulation of the refrlgeratlon apparatus in order to secure normally a certam average temperature of the cooling un1t and to obtain a different average temperature for a certain period whenever desired. In order to accomplish this object, one form of the invention discloses an automatic device for' controlling the starting and stopping of the refrigerating apparatus in order to secure a succession of refrigeration cycles producing the average temperature of the cooling unit which is normally desired, the controller having a setting device which causes the occurrence of a number of cycles of operation, each producing an average temperature of the cooling unit which is different, usually lower than the average temperature normally obtained. The operation of the system causes the controller to be restored to normal condition automatically after a predetermined number of abnormal cycles have occurred. The setting device will permit the operator to select any number, within certain limits, of the abnormal cycles which will occur before the controller is restored to normal condition again.

One of the uses of the present refrigeration system is in household refrigeration. A desired normal average temperature is maintained automatically to preserve articles of food, but when a number of desserts or cubes of ice are required to be frozen the controller is set for giving a certain number of abnormal cooling cycles, depending on the amount of water to be frozen into ice cubes or the number of desserts to be prepared.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1 and 2 are side views of the controlling apparatus included in the present invention, the apparatus being shown in two different positions of operation;

Fig. 3 is a system diagram;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, showing the manner of setting the controller by means of a handle and dial located outside the refrigerator cabinet; and

I therefore,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front elevation of he refrigeration cabinet, showing the dial and handle in Fig. 4, but on a smaller scale.

Referring first to Fig. 3, 20 designates an electric motor which drive through pulley 21, belt 22 and pulley 23, a compressor 24 which withdraws expanded refrigerant from an evaporator or cooling unit 25, through a pipe 26 leading to a coupling 27 which "is connected by a pipe 28 with the crankcase of the compressor 24. The gaseous refrigerant is compresed by the compressor 24 and delivered by a pipe 29 to a condenser 30 in which the refrigerant is liquefied and collected in a receiver 31. The action of the compressor forces the liquid refrigerant from receiver 31 through a pipe 32 to the evaporator or cooling unit 25. It is understood that the cooling unit 25 is located in the refrigerator cabinet for reducing the temperature of air circulating in the cabinet.

The starting and stopping of the refrigeratlon cycle is controlled by a controller 40 which includes a flexible metal chamber or bellows 41 connected by a pipe 42 with the coupling 27 and, therefore, connected with the low-pressure pipes 26 and 28 of the refrigeration system. The bellows 41 is provided with a top cover plate 43 having an arm 44 extending thereform and attached by a link 45 to a platform 46 which is supported by pedestals 47 and 48 mounted upon a frame 49 which is contiguous with the case 50 of an electric switch for controlling the motor circuit. The electric switch is of the sna switch type and is indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 3 by contacts 51 and 52 con nected in the motor circuit which includes the lead wires 53 and 54. The contact 52 is stationary and the contact 51 is connected with an arm 55 pivoted at 56. In Fig. 3 the bellows 41 is shown diagrammatically, connected with one end of lever 57 pivoted at 58 and having its other end connected by a link 59 with a lever 60 which is connected by a spring 61 with the lever 55. Obviously, expansion of the bellows 41 will cause the lever 60 to move into the position shown in Fig. 3 and, therefore, cause the spring 61 to pull the lever 55 into the position shown in full-lines in Fig. 3, thereby closing the contacts 51 and 52. Conversely, contraction of the bellows 41 will cause the contact 51 to move into the position 51*. The diagram, shows that a certain movement of the bellows 41 must take place before the switch is moved from open to closed, or from closed to open positions.

structurally, the switch which 1s included in the case 50, includes an actuating rod 62. The switch construction is not shown, but it will be understood that if the switch be open, a certain movement downward of the rod 62 must take place before the switch will be closed; and'if the switch is closed, a certain movement of the rod 62 upwardly must occur before the switch will be opened again. The rod 62 is attached at 63 to a weight lever 64 which carries a knife-edge 65 which is received by a bifurcated notched extension 66 of the cover plate 43. The lever 64 carries also a knife-edge 67 which is received by the bifurcated extension 68 of the platform 46. The lever 64 carries a weight 69 which is adjustable along the lever 64 and secured at desired position of adjustment by set screw 7 0.

The weight 69 is adapted to engage a weight 71 which is adjustable along rod 72, pivoted at 73 upon a bracket 74 attached to the platform 46. Weight 71 is secured in a desired position of adjustment by a set screw 75. The weight 71 is adapted to engage a weight 76 secured ina desired position of adjustment along a rod 77 by set screw 78. Rod 77 is pivoted at 79 to the bracket 74. Movements of weights 76 and 71 are limited by a stop bracket 80 attached to the platform 46 and having a slot 81 for receiving the rod 72. Movement of the lever 64 and weight 69 is limited by a stop bracket 82 also supported by the platform 46 and having a slot 83 for receiving the lever 64. A spring 84 is attached at its lower end by a screw 85 to the bellows cover 43 and its upper end is connected by a pin 86 with the platform 46.

The normal 0 eration of the controlling apparatus is as ollows:

When the temperature of the cooling unit has attained a certain high degree, for example, 24 F., the pressure in the low-pressure pipes 26, 27, 28 and 42 will have reached such a high value as to cause the bellows 41 to push the lmife-edge 65 upwardly and, therefore, raise the weights 69, 71 and 76 into the position shown in Fig. 1, and push the rod 62 downwardly to close the switch and thus start the refrigeration cycle which begins when the motor starts to operate the compressor. As refrigeration continues in the cooling unit or evaporator 25, the tem perature thereof will be reduced andpressure likewise reduced. Consequently, the pressure in the bellows 41 will be reduced to such a value that the weights 76, 71 and 69 will cause the lever 64 to rotate in a clockwise direction and move the switch rod 62 into a position for opening the switch. This will occur when a desired low degree of temperature is attained in the evaporator 25, for example about 16 F. During the downward movement of the weights 76, 71 and 69 to effect the upward movement of the rod 62, the rod 72 engages the stop plate 81 before the lever 64 engages the stop plate 82. Conseq uently, downward movement of the weights 71 and 76 will be arrested while the weight 69 continues to move downwardly to complete the upward movement of the switch rod 62 for causing the opening of the switch. In adjusting the controller to obtain the desired low temperature point of the refrigeration cycle, the weight 69 is adjusted along the lever 64 independently of any adjustments of the weights 71 and 76. This adjustment will determine at what pressure in the bellows 41 and, therefore, at what low temperature of the evaporator, the refrigeration cycle will stop. After this adjustment has been made, the adjustment of the weights 71 and 76 is effected to obtain the starting of the refrigerating cycle when the temperature of the evaporator is at a, certain high point. In this manner, the limits of. temperature range of the refrigeration cycle can be varied to suit the desires of the user or climatic conditions, etc.

The control apparatus includes means for setting the apparatus so that, within certain limits, any number of abnormal cycles of operation of the system can be eifected when desired. The setting device is constructed so that after the desired number of abnormal cycles have occured the apparatus will be restored to condition for automatically effecting only the normal cycles of operation of the system. By abnormal is meant a cycle which produces an average temperature which is different from the average temperature of the cooling unit when the normal cycle occurs. Preferably the abnormal cycle produces a lower average temperature of the cooling unit so that a lower temperature in the dessert or water-freezing compartment can be attained when desired and as long as desired, within certain limits. This setting device includes a handle or operating lever 90 located outside the refrigerator cabinet 91, indicated in Fig. 5. The handle 90 co- 0 erates with a dial 92 to indicate the status 0 the setting device, that is,'to indicate how many abnormal cycles will occur before the controller will be automatically restored to normal operation. Hence, the dial and pointer indicate approximately the duration of maintenance of the lower average temperature in the refrigerator cabinet. The dial 92 could bear indicia indicating the set ting corresponding to the number of cubes of ice or number of desserts to be frozen.

The handle 90 is attached to a shaft 93, coupled at 94 with a shaft 95 which is supported by bearing 96 mounted upon the bracket 74. Shaft 95 carries a cam 97 for engaging the rod 77. Cam 97 includes a flat 98 which, when adjacent the rod 77, permits the weight 76 to rest upon the weight 71, as shown in Fig. 1. When the cylindrical surface of the cam 97 engages the rod 77, the weight 76 will be maintained out of engagement wit-h the weight 71 in all positions of the latter. The shaft 95 is turned automatically by the operation of the controller of the system. Each time the lever 72 ascends, it moves upwardly a pawl 98 pivoted at 99 to the rod 72. This pawl has a hook portion 100 for engaging one of a series of ratchet teeth 101 which are provided in a ratchet disc 102 connected. with the cam 97 by pin 103 and retained by a nut 104. The pawl 98 includes an extension 105 located in the plane of the nut 101 which provides a stop limiting the movement of the pawl 98 away from the ratchet 102. The extension 105 is of such size as to tend to move the pawl 98 in a counter-clockwise direction. Each time the lever 72 moves downwardly, the disc 102 Will-be rotated through angular distance equal to the s acing of the ratchet teeth 101. Therefore, or each refrigeration cycle there will be a movement of the disc 102 one unit or the distance of spacing of the ratchet teeth 101. Thus, step by-step motion the disc will be rotated until the arcuate periphery of the disc is engaged by the hook 100. By this time the flat 98 of the cam 97 will be moved opposite the rod 77, as shown in Fig. 1, to permit the weight 76 to engage the weight 71. In this manner the controller is restored to normal condition automatically after a certain number of abnormal cycles have occurred. For example, the controller is set as shown in Fig. 2, so that fourteen abnormal cycles will occur before the apparatus is restored to normal condition.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A refrigerating system comprising, in combination, an evaporator; means for withdrawing refrigerant from the evaporator for condensing the refrigerant and for delivering it again to the evaporator; and apparatus for controlling said means including mechanism for obtaining normally a certain average temperature of the evaporator, the controlling apparatus having a setting device for obtaining a different average temperature of the evaporator when desired for one or more refrigerating cycles, the controlling apparatus also having provisions for restoring said mechanism to normal condition automatically after the occurrence of a desired number of cycles producing the different average temperature.

2. A refrigerating system comprising, in combinatioman evaporator; means for withdrawing refrigerant from the evaporator for condensing the refrigerant and for delivering it again to the evaporator; and controlling apparatus including mechanism for starting .and stopping said means automatically to obtain normally a certain average temperature of the evaporator, said apparatus having a setting device for obtaining within certain limits, any desired number of refrigerating cycles producing a different average temperature, the apparatus having provisions for restoring said mechanism to normal condition after said desired number of cycles producing the different average temperature have occurred.

3. A refrigerating system comprising, in combination, an evaporator; means for withdrawing refrigerant from the evaporator for condensing the refrigerant and for delivering it again to the evaporator; and controlling apparatus including mechanism for starting and stopping said means automati cally to obtain normally a certain average temperature of the evaporator, said apparatus having a setting device for obtaining within certain limits, any desired number of refrigerating cycles producing a lower average temperature, the apparatus having provisions for restoring said mechanism to normal condition after said desired number of cycles producing the lower average temperature have occurred.

4. A refrigerating system comprising, in combination. an evaporator; means for withdrawing refrigerant from the evaporator for condensing the refrigerant and for delivering it again to the evaporator; and controlling apparatus including mechanism for starting and stopping the refrigeration cycle in response to certain high and low temperatures, respectively, of the evaporator, a device for temporarily modifying the operation of said mechanism for a plurality of cycles to secure the starting of the cycles at a lower degree of temperature than normally required, and provisions operated automatically after a certain duration of the modified operation for restoring the mechanism to normal operating condition.

5. A refrigerating system comprising, in combination, an evaporator; means for withdrawing refrigerant from the evaporator for condensing the refrigerant and for delivering-it again to the evaporator; and controlling apparatus including mechanism for starting and stopping the refrigeration cycle in response to certain high and low temperatures, respectively, of the evaporator, a device for temporarily modifying the operation of said mechanism for a plurality of cycles to secure the starting of the cycles at a lower degree of temperature than normally required, provisions operated automatically &

after a certain duration of the modified operation for restoring the mechanism to normal operating condition, and means adapted to be adjusted for varying the quantity of modified cycles. 0

6. A refrigerating system comprising, 1n combination, a cooling unit, means for circulating refrigerating medium through said unit, control means for controlling said firstmentioned means to maintain said unit between predetermined limits of temperature, means for temporarily modifying the action of said first-mentioned means and for automaticall restoring the system to the normal control y said control means after a predetermined modified action of said first means, and means cooperating with said modifying means for varying the duration of operation of the latter.

7. A. refrigerating system comprising, in

combination, a cooling unit, means for circulating a refrigerating medium through said unit, control apparatus normally controlling the flow of medium whereby to cool 1 said unit to a predetermined average temrature, a device for temporarily modiging the flow of medium whereby to obtain a difi'erent average temperature in the unit, provisions operated automatically after a predetermined operation of said device for restoring the system to normal operating condition, and means cooperating with said device for varying the duration of operation of the latter.

8. A refrigerating system comprising, in combination, a cabinet, a cooling unit within the cabinet, means for circulating a refrigerating medium through said unit, control apparatus for controlling the circulation of refrigerant medium whereby to cool said unit to a predetermined average temperature, I

a device for temporarily modifying the operation of said means whereby to obtain a diiferent average temperature in the unit, and provisions operated automatically after a certain modified operation for restoring the system to normal condition, said device having a portion extending through a wall of the cabinet and arranged for varying the duration of said modified operation.

9. A refrigerating system comprising, in combination, a cooling unit, means for cyclically circulating a refrigerant medium through said unit, control apparatus for controlling the circulating cycles of said fluid whereby tocool said unit to a predetermined average temperature, a device for temporarily modifying the cycles of operation of said means whereby to obtain a different average temperature in the unit, and provisions operated automatically after the occurrence of one or more modified cycles for restoring the system to normal operating condition.

10. A refrigerating system comprising, in combination, a cooling unit, means for circulating refrigerating medium through said unit, control means for controlling said firstmentioned' means to maintain said unit between predetermined limits of temperature, means for temporarily modifying the action of said control means and for automatically restoring the system tothe normal control by said control means after a predetermined modified action of said first means, and means cooperating with said modifying means for varying the duration of operation of the latter.

signature.

JESSE e. KING. 

